Jeopardy! boss says "we're not shopping": Ken Jennings' involvement doesn't mean he's Alex Trebek's successor

The Ringer

Fans have speculated that Jennings' new role as consulting producer is a stepping stone to him eventually becoming host. But Mike Richards, who assumed the role of Jeopardy! executive producer this summer, taking over from 25-year veteran Harry Friedman, wants to quash that speculation, saying Jennings is not expected to be in the studio “day in and day out” even once pandemic restrictions have lifted. “If you sat in my morning meetings with Alex (Trebek) as he was going through the shows and the clues and then you watched him host the show—he’s the host of the show,” Richards tells The Ringer “We’re not shopping. He’s our guy, and he’s our guy till he tells us he’s not our guy, and then we can have a different conversation. I just don’t think it’s appropriate to have that conversation until Alex comes to me and says, ‘OK. This is my plan.’” This morning on Good Morning America, Jennings discussed his new role, saying: "You'll see me regularly on the show, presenting video categories and collaborating with the tries on clues." Jennings said he will also be "working with the casting team on contestant outreach, finding the best trivia people where they hide...It's a great gig being a goodwill ambassador for a show that has so much goodwill." ALSO: Alex Trebek will stay apart from contestants as his health is the No. 1 priority on the new Jeopardy! set.